This public holiday is celebrated on 26th December in several countries as part of the Christmas holidays.

Typically it will be moved and celebrated on the next weekday if 26th December is a Saturday or Sunday. If Christmas Day falls on a weekend, Boxing Day may be observed on Tuesday 27th December.

It has been said that the name of Boxing Day comes from people getting rid of empty boxes from presents after Christmas day. While a beguiling notion, the tradition dates back to England in the middle ages, though the exact origin is debatable

One theory is that it comes from the fact that servants were given their presents in boxes on this day, the 26th being the first working day after Christmas day. This tradition of giving gifts for service extended beyond servants to tradesmen, such as milkmen, butchers, etc.

Another popular theory is that it is named after the custom of priests opening alms boxes in churches after Christmas. These held money which had been donated to the poor and needy in the run-up to Christmas. Some churches still open these boxes on Boxing Day.

Australia

In South Australia, Boxing day is known as Proclamation day. It celebrates the proclamation of South Australia as a British province by Captain John Hindmarsh when he arrived at Holdfast Bay on 28 December 1836.

South Africa

In South Africa, December 26th is a public holiday known as the Day of Goodwill. Before 1980, the day was celebrated as Boxing Day.

United Kingdom

Boxing Day has been a Bank Holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since 1871. Having this status during the height of the British Empire explains why this holiday is still celebrated in many Commonwealth countries.

St. Stephen's Day

In non-Commonwealth countries, the day is more commonly referred to as St Stephen's Day or the feast of Stephen as mentioned in the carol 'Good King Wenceslas'.

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Office Holidays provides calendars with dates and information on public holidays and bank holidays in key countries around the world.